contrived
Contrived (adjective) means Planned or created in an artificial, forced way rather than arising naturally. Example: “The film's happy ending felt contrived and unearned.”
How to use contrived
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishForced or fake-feeling, rather than natural or spontaneous.
Word forms
more contrived comparative, most contrived superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film's happy ending felt _____ and unearned.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for contrived
See all rhymes for contrived →Frequently asked questions
What does “contrived” mean?
The word “contrived” means planned or created in an artificial, forced way rather than arising naturally. In plain terms, forced or fake-feeling, rather than natural or spontaneous.
How do you pronounce “contrived”?
“Contrived” is pronounced kuhn-TRYVD (/kənˈtɹaɪvd/ in IPA).
How do you use “contrived” in a sentence?
Here is “contrived” used in a sentence: “The film's happy ending felt contrived and unearned.”
What is another word for “contrived”?
Words with a similar meaning to “contrived” include staged, insincere and factitious.
What is the opposite of “contrived”?
The opposite of “contrived” — its antonyms — is spontaneous.
What part of speech is “contrived”?
“Contrived” is an adjective.
Is “contrived” a common word?
“Contrived” is an uncommon word in modern English.